2000 Ford Mondeo Verona 1.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Overall very good

Faults:

Two problems with this car - both suspension. One has been fixed by the dealer, the other one Ford won't help with.

Strange 'clonking' noise coming from the front suspension when on full lock. Dealer just replaced the front CV boots - why should they need replacing on a car that has done 10,000 miles from new - dealer wouldn't say.

Second problem - squeaking shocks at the back. Can only hear this in the summer when you have the windows open, but it drives me crazy so all summer I have windows up and air conditioning on to keep cool. Several trips to two Ford dealers produced nothing. First visit 'we road tested the car but could hear it'. Second visit I demonstrated it to the mechanic - they just lubricated the shocks (didn't fix it). Third visit - they rang Ford Customer Relationship Centre who told them it was a 'characteristic' of the vehicle' and they weren't allowed to fix it. Took it to another dealer - mechanic walked me around their sales yard looking similar cars (2000/X Mondeo) we both bounced them up and down on their shocks - they all squeaked!

So the moral is don't buy a Mondeo if you want to drive around with windows open (do they still make convertibles?).

Apart from that, it is generally very nice to drive, excellent value and so far totally reliable.

General Comments:

Overall excellent - reliable, and drives very well.

Relaxed and cruises beautifully on motorway, plus the steering is very 'precise' and the chassis feels 'agile' - makes it feel fun to drive.